Briton Sets Kilimanjaro Record

A Cranfield University academic has officially entered the record books as the oldest person to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, after scaling the peak aged 82. Professor George Solt, from Olney, Buckinghamshire, took up the charity challenge in memory of his wife Jen who came from a family of mountaineering enthusiasts. On July 14 this year, he reached the top of the 5,895m-high mountain accompanied by his daughter-in-law Hilary and three grandchildren - Sam, 16, Zoe, 15, and Eva, 12. Now 83, Prof Solt has just received the Guinness Book of Records certificate recognising his feat, which has so far raised £6,000 for Willen Hospice near Milton Keynes. Prof Solt credited "good genes" for his achievement, adding that he got ready for the challenge in only five months with the assistance of a personal trainer. He said: "Everyone asks me about my thoughts when I reached the top, and the honest answer is I couldn't think of much except getting down again." His wife Jen, who was still climbing at age 80, died last year aged 87. The couple were married for 56 years.